The second half of the MLB regular season begins today and we have one early game to get things started.

19.20. Arizona at Chicago Cubs (Kennedy vs Maholm) *ESPN America

A day game from Wrigley Field, with WGN’s Len Kasper and Bob Brenly providing the commentary, is always worth watching regardless of where the Cubs sit in the standings. They are currently 15 games out in the NL Central as Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer continue their major rebuilding project.

As for Arizona, things are much more optimistic.  They are only four games behind the Dodgers in the NL West and the same margin behind the Reds and Braves in the Wild Card race.  The D-Backs will be looking for Ian Kennedy to lead from the front with Daniel Hudson out for the rest of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Later on, there are several excellent series in prospect due to get underway in the early hours of Saturday morning.

In the American League, the Los Angeles Angels are in New York taking on the Yankees, while the Red Sox and Rays continue their rivalry at Tropicana Field.  In the National League, there are two good NL East battles as the Mets take on the Braves and the Nationals face the Marlins, while the St. Louis Cardinals are in Cincinnati taking on the Reds.